260 Model 7 Grouping

[ghosthunter]

I have a model 7 in a 260 caliber and today was the first time I got to shoot it at 100 yards. Accuracy wasn't really good. It would shoot dead on, then 3" to the right, and then 6" left. The barrel has been floated and I am shooting remington 140 grain core lokts, which this may be the problem. It doesn't have a high end scope, just a nikon prostaff. Is this typical of a thin barreled gun or should I expect better? Or do I need to change ammo? I've read other forums that guys were getting much better accuarcy. I'm not expecting bench shooting accuarcy but dang if it gets any worse I may not want to hunt with it. Help :cry:

 

[muddyboots]

Mine in 7mm/08 would shoot a 2 inch group out of the box. I bought an aftermarket stock, talley mounts, leupold varix -2 scope and found some ammo it likes and it will do an inch group now.

 

[knightrider]

try some hornadys or ballistic tips, and recheck the scope mounts for tightness

 

[AllOutdoors]

You need to change ammo.My 260 model 7 will shoot under an inch all day. Thats with handloads H4350 and 120gr. Sierra Pro Hunter.

 

[booche]

I had the same thing going on earlier this year with my a-bolt .280. Couldn't figure it out until I started cleaning it and noticed the scope mounts were loose. Tightened them up and she is dead on at 100 yards. Hate to be the deer that walks in front of that rifle.

 

[rukiddin]

I have a Ruger M77 in a 260. It would not shoot the 140gr coreloks well at all. I mean it was so bad, a paper plate would not cover the groups.

I switched to Federal 139gr Sierra Gamekings and at 100 yards, it will shoot <1 1/2", witch worked fine for me.

I switched again last year to handloaded 129gr hornady sst's and I can cover 3 shots with quarter at 100yds.

 

[Model70Man]

Check your action screws as well and make sure they are tight. Core Lokt ammo is not known for accuracy.

 

[gravy]

I am a big fan of free floating the barrel but the accuracy is much better on my sons model seven 260 with the pressure point intact. I have an extra stock so I shot it first with the free floated stock( zero contact), accuracy was 2-3 inches @100. Changed to the original stock with pressure point intact and it shoots many different loads MOA.

 

[gravy]

My sons shoots lots of loads great but it did not like the 140 remington factory load.

 

[ratsnakeboogy]

I am a big fan of free floating the barrel but the accuracy is much better on my sons model seven 260 with the pressure point intact. I have an extra stock so I shot it first with the free floated stock( zero contact), accuracy was 2-3 inches @100. Changed to the original stock with pressure point intact and it shoots many different loads MOA.

Bingo!

Every model 7 I have ever owned shot MUCH better with the presure nubbs left in the end of the stock. I sanded one stocj out to free-float, and accuaracy went to HE**.

I think the barrels are just to thin and whippy to free-float with much luck. I do have one full length bedded in a laminate stock that will shoot bottlecaps at 100yards, you might consider going that route.

 

[JA1234]

I have one that I owned the first year the came out. I sold it to a guy with no scope on it. and just last year he got in a bad bind and was selling all his guns cheap. so I bought it back.

It was shooting just like yours..Group was 6-10 inches. well I took it home traded scopes and I shoot 2 shot groups with it and let it cool 15 mins while I shoot something else.

with Federal premium 120 gr noslers
I get

 

[Kimberman]

I wouldnt get too worked up until I tried some different loads, Cor Lokts have never grouped well for me. Check your action screws and mounts to make sure that isn't your problem.

 

[David Sapp]

Rem's 1:9 twist and the 18-20" M7 sometimes needs more of a 120-130 gr pill. The 120 gr Fusion might do well for you.

 

[ghosthunter]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. I checked the action bolts and they seemed tight. I did't check the scope mounts with a wrench but I will. I've read other articles about those pressure points being better than free floating. I may need to go that route if different loads don't improve the situation.

 

[ghosthunter]

I'm looking at Midway and the Federal Premium bullets seem to been reaonably priced. I think I'm down to the 120gr ballistic tips or boat tail. Which?

 

[mr.big]

my extended family,,has a bunch of M7 rifles and they all shoot well

I have a 6mm Rem 18.5 inch,308 20 inch
Daddy has a 260 20 inch,and a 243 20 inch
older brother has a 223 20 inch
younger brother has 243 18.5 inch and a 7/08 20 inch

I had a M7 300 RSAUM for a while also,

IMO they are better shooters than the short action M700 rifles Rem puts out now.

 

[muddyboots]

Also when i first got mine i tried an experiment one weekend. I set up my target at 100 yards and shot once. I went home and came back next day and shot again and did it over again. The group was 1/2. I think barrels just get hot easier and take longer too cool off.

 

[ghosthunter]

There's also remington accutip. Dang I'm confused.

 

[ratsnakeboogy]

If you can find the 120gr. Deep Curl(I don't even know if it's available) it is the same as the Fusion bullet. The Fusions have an awesome track record on deer.

 

[Anonymous]

I remember reading somewhere that remington had the rate of twist wrong on the 260 caliber.I dont know how old the rifle is but you might want to check your rate of twist.It should be about 1:9

 

[Greg M]

Just had a similar problem with my .30-06> Loose screws on scope bases. Scope would actually wiggle on the gun. Check them! Removed eveything, applied a drop of Loctite blue, remounted. 1.5" MOA for 12 rounds. Better get on it quick. You'll have to resight.